Maya Moore was immortalized in Minnesota Lynx legend Saturday night when the franchise retired her jersey.
Moore’s number 23 jersey was hoisted to the rafters of the Target Center, honoring one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise and the WNBA.
The 35-year-old was already one of the game’s brightest prospects, according to this year’s Rookie of the Year nominee Caitlin Clark, who paid a small tribute to the retired power forward herself.
But throughout her career, Moore was just as successful off the court as she was on it as an advocate for social justice.
DailyMail.com takes a look at the Hall of Famer’s illustrious career and achievements here.
Maya Moore was immortalized in Lynx legend on Saturday when the franchise retired her jersey
Who is Maya Moore?
Born in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1989, Maya Moore is a WNBA and Minnesota Lynx legend. Her jersey was retired by the franchise on Saturday night.
The power forward had already been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and enjoyed a glittering career on the court.
In high school, Moore was the national Gatorade Player of the Year, the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and a McDonald’s All-American.
She then played for UConn at the collegiate level, winning back-to-back national championships in 2009 and 2010.
She was selected as the winner of the John Wooden Award in 2009 after leading Connecticut to an undefeated national championship. The following season—when she led Connecticut to its second straight national championship and extended her overall undefeated streak to 78—she became the first female basketball player to sign with Air Jordan.
She is one of eleven women to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal and a WNBA championship.
To further add to her accolades, Moore was also included in Time Magazine’s list of the most influential people of 2020.
Moore had already been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and enjoyed a glittering career
Who is Maya Moore’s husband, Jonathan Irons?
When Moore’s husband, Jonathan Irons, was 16, he was arrested for the non-fatal shooting of white homeowner Stanley Stotler during a burglary.
There was no DNA, fingerprints, footprints or any other physical evidence linking him to the crime, yet Irons was convicted in 1998 by an all-white jury.
He was sentenced to 50 years in prison for burglary and assault at the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri.
Moore first met Irons at Jefferson City Correctional Center in 2007, through her godparents, who had expressed interest in his case. They began communicating through a series of letters and formed a close bond.
She then funded a team of lawyers who eventually freed Irons in July 2020, after he had served 23 years.
The couple married nine days after his release and had their first child, Jonathan Hughston Irons Jr., in February 2022.
Moore’s husband, Jonathan Irons (R), was arrested for a non-fatal shooting at age 16
Moore funded a team of lawyers that would eventually help free Irons in 2020
Maya Moore’s WNBA Career
Moore took a step back from basketball in 2019, primarily to focus on the Irons case.
She eventually officially announced her retirement from the WNBA and the Minnesota Lynx in 2023.
Moore, a recent Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, the 2014 MVP and six-time WNBA All-Star, helped the Lynx to four WNBA titles during her career, including her first season in 2011.
Moore was the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft out of UConn. He came on the scene averaging 13.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, helping the Lynx win their first-ever playoff series and claim their first championship.
Minnesota would win titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017 with Moore starring. Her MVP season in 2014 saw her average career highs in points (23.9) and rebounds (8.1).
In his eight-year career in Minnesota, Moore scored 4,984 points to go along with 1,589 rebounds, 895 assists and 451 steals, ranking in the franchise’s top three in every category.
The Lynx honored the legend by retiring her number 23 during Saturday night’s home game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
The Lynx honored the legend by retiring her number 23 during Saturday night’s home game
Why Did Caitlin Clark Wear a T-Shirt Honoring Maya Moore?
On Saturday, Caitlin Clark faced the Lynx, with Moore being honored by her former WNBA franchise. For the rookie, the night was just as poignant.
As a young girl, Clark’s team was the Minnesota Lynx and Moore was her player.
“She was the one for me, honestly,” Clark said. “I remember that Lynx team more than anyone. As a young girl, they were obviously the closest team in the WNBA to me growing up, so it’s kind of what you cheer for, but they were really good, so it was easy to cheer for them.”
Before the game, which the Fever ultimately lost 90-80 despite Clark’s 23 points, the No. 1 draft pick warmed up in a Moore retirement jersey.
She also shared that she was able to hug her idol after a Lynx match she attended as a child.
“And I just ran up to her and gave her a hug. There’s no documentation of that moment, but in my mind, that was clearly one of the most pivotal moments of my entire basketball career. As a young girl, crazy about sports, that obviously meant the world to me.”
Moore admitted she couldn’t remember the moment, but added, “It’s really cool to think about how one of those little girls became Caitlin Clark.”
Caitlin Clark grew up a fan of Moore and wore a T-shirt in her honor before the game